Giuseppe Iannaccone on Collecting During the Pandemic

In an interview with Artribune, collector and lawyer Giuseppe Iannaccone discusses his art acquisitions during the 2020 pandemic. After an initial period of disorientation from excessive online information, he explored Instagram to discover new artists and researched works he had previously lacked time to study. Post-summer, he purchased works by young artists Zehra Dogan (seen in person at a Milan gallery), Hannah Quinlan & Rosie Hastings (discovered online via Isabella Bortolozzi's gallery), and a vintage Cindy Sherman photograph from a private collection. His buying rationale remained unchanged: he acquires works by artists he believes best represent the contemporary world through painting. Iannaccone missed physical contact with artworks, fairs, and the art world; he cannot experience exhibitions solely through screens. He hopes for a return to international fairs and travel, but also wishes to maintain local relationships developed during lockdown. He calls for more support for local art scenes and expects institutions to curate higher-quality public exhibitions. Notably, he demands a contemporary art museum in Milan, citing the lack of such a resource for students. Pre- and post-Covid, he would eliminate 'merchants disguised as collectors' who undermine the art system by equating price with value.